The Never-Ending Battle: Leaves on the Line, Innovation, and the Hidden Costs.

So, I saw an article on ‘This Morning’ about leaves on the line and all I got from that was that we are spending money trying to help stop it but don’t worry you can claim money back for all the cancelled trains. I have written a couple of articles over the years on this subject on how, every autumn, the same old story unfolds across the UK’s rail network: trains delayed, cancellations announced, and commuters left fuming, all because of a rather unexpected culprit – leaves. For decades, this seemingly trivial issue has cost the UK millions of pounds in delays and repairs, sparking frustration among passengers and baffling those unfamiliar with the rail industry. But the real question isn't just about why leaves cause such disruption—it's about why, despite innovative research and investments in new technology, we’re still paying millions for solutions that haven’t quite hit the mark. I have a friend who could have told them that and set it up years ago for less and what it failed to tell us was the cost of dry ice.

Those who never before considered how something as simple as a leaf can derail an entire train schedule. But the issue goes beyond mere inconvenience. When autumn rolls around and leaves fall onto the rail tracks, they’re crushed by passing trains, creating a slippery, greasy residue that reduces the friction between the train wheels and the rails. This slick substance, often compared to "black ice" on roads, can cause trains to lose traction, resulting in longer braking distances, delayed departures, and, in worst-case scenarios, dangerous incidents on the track.

Network Rail spends an estimated ￡60 million every year dealing with the effects of leaves on the line. Trains are equipped with sanders to improve grip, but the seasonal nature of the problem means the solution needs to be more permanent. It’s not just about keeping trains running on time; it’s also about reducing wear and tear on the trains themselves, maintaining the safety of the rail system, and cutting down on the costly delays that cripple the network each autumn.

For years, engineers and researchers have been spending money hand over fist trying to find an effective way to combat this problem. Traditional methods, like manually scrubbing the tracks or using sand. So, Professor Lewis decided to get money to do an expensive trial and now he says they can retrofit trains with Dry Ice blasting equipment Mmmm who is going to top up the dry ice? I’m of the school; of Wet ice blasting, both methods use the power of ice to remove the greasy residue left by the leaves, and they come with their own sets of challenges yet wet ice cubes can be made and fed on the train of any model.

What is Dry ice blasting, this involves shooting small pellets of frozen carbon dioxide at the track, which sublimates on contact, removing the leaf residue without leaving behind water or other debris. Wet ice blasting, on the other hand, uses water mixed with ice to achieve the same effect, although it would leave a wetter track which can be overcome with an air blow set up just after the ice nozzle. Although both methods have shown some promise, the costs associated with them are significant.

Dry ice blasting, in particular, has been criticised for being prohibitively expensive, costs between ￡40 and ￡50 per kilo and there is a sublimation rate (this is what evaporates) of 1 to 2 kilos per 20 kilos depending on operating temperatures. Each train also needs to carry special equipment that adds to the overall cost of running the service. Yes Wet ice blasting, while cheaper, isn’t always as effective, especially in colder conditions where freezing water can pose additional risks. The result? The UK rail industry has spent millions researching and implementing these methods, yet passengers continue to face delays. The cost of this research, often shouldered by taxpayers, has been called into question, with many asking whether it’s been worth the investment.

While the UK grapples with these challenges, an intriguing development has emerged from the US, where a new technology known as the "laser train" is showing promising results. These trains use powerful lasers to burn away the leaf residue, ensuring that tracks remain clean and safe, even in the thick of autumn. Early trials in the US have been so successful that experts are hailing it as a potential significant change for the industry. The laser train doesn't just clean the tracks more efficiently; it also does so without the need for costly chemicals or ice. By using lasers, the system avoids the complications associated with traditional cleaning methods, such as water damage or the need for additional infrastructure. It’s a cleaner, faster, and potentially more cost-effective solution.

In a world where climate change is driving us towards greener solutions, the laser train seems like the obvious choice. However, implementing such technology in the UK comes with its own set of challenges. The costs of developing and rolling out this system across an entire rail network could run into the tens of millions, and critics are already voicing concerns about whether the UK can afford such an investment. It’s clear that the UK rail industry has been in a constant battle to find the best solution for the leaves-on-the-line problem, but this search has come at a staggering cost. Over the past few decades, the amount spent on research and trials of new technologies, such as ice blasting and now the potential introduction of laser trains, has amounted to millions of pounds—money that some argue could have been better spent on maintaining and upgrading the rail infrastructure, but the question remains: has all this research truly paid off?

The jury’s still out. While new technologies hold promise, the implementation and transition costs are steep. For example, installing dry ice blasting systems on just one train can cost upwards of ￡100,000, gleaned from various articles not to mention the ongoing maintenance and operational costs. When you scale that across a fleet of trains, the numbers quickly skyrocket into the millions. Moreover, critics argue that these technologies are addressing a symptom rather than the root cause. The real issue, they claim, lies in the lack of investment in preventative measures, such as better track maintenance throughout the year or the strategic planting of trees away from rail lines. By focusing so much on reactive solutions, the industry may be missing the bigger picture. At its core, the leaves-on-the-line problem reflects a broader issue within the UK rail industry—one of short-term fixes versus long-term investment. While the temptation to invest in innovative technologies like laser trains is understandable, we must ask ourselves whether this is the best use of our limited resources. At the end of the day, the battle against leaves on the line isn’t just about technology. It’s about common sense, planning, and making smart investments that will pay off not just in the next few years, but for decades to come. The next time your train is delayed because of leaves, ask yourself: is it the leaves that are the problem, or is it our approach to dealing with them? It’s time for the rail industry—and the government that funds it—to take a hard look at where our money is going and whether we’re getting the results we need. Because when it comes to solving this age-old problem, we can’t afford to keep making the same mistakes.